Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
The Olympian Vice explained
The chapter argues against the English philosopher Hobbes's condemnation of laughter, proposing instead that the capacity for laughter, especially a superior, 'golden' laughter, is a virtue.
What happens
The chapter argues against the English philosopher Hobbes's condemnation of laughter, proposing instead that the capacity for laughter, especially a superior, 'golden' laughter, is a virtue. It playfully suggests that gods, if they philosophize, would laugh in an 'overman-like' way, even at sacred matters, revealing a divine perspective that mocks all seriousness.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The passage reveals the Wanderer's ultimate psychological exhaustion with seeking truth, climaxing in his desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nobility and Order of Rank
Implied through the ranking of philosophers 'according to the quality of their laughing,' with 'golden laughter' and divine 'overman-like' laughter representing a higher order.
- Critique of Modernity
Critique of a modern, overly serious, and life-denying philosophical stance (exemplified by Hobbes) that seeks to overcome natural human expressions like laughter.
Characters to notice
- The Englishman
Referenced via the philosopher Hobbes, who is cited as trying to bring laughter into 'bad repute' by calling it a 'bad infirmity of human nature' that thinking minds should overcome.
- Gods
Speculated to philosophize and laugh in an 'overman-like and new fashion,' finding amusement even in holy matters, which suggests a perspective beyond human moral seriousness.
- The Narrator
Directly counters Hobbes, ranks philosophers by their laughter, and expresses personal belief about the gods' philosophical and mocking nature.
Key passages
““Laughing is a bad infirmity of human nature, which every thinking mind will strive to overcome” (Hobbes)”
Hobbes believed laughter was a harmful weakness that all rational people should try to eliminate.
This is the view the narrator directly opposes, using it as a springboard for his own valuation of laughter.
“I would even allow myself to rank philosophers according to the quality of their laughing—up to those who are capable of golden laughter.”
I propose evaluating philosophers based on how well they laugh, with the highest rank going to those with a 'golden' laughter.
Establishes laughter as a criterion for philosophical and personal superiority.
“Gods are fond of ridicule: it seems that they cannot refrain from laughter even in holy matters.”
The gods love to mock; it appears they are compelled to laugh even at things considered sacred.
Posits a divine perspective that transcends and mocks human conceptions of seriousness and sanctity.
